Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-13
BUFORD POST BENEFIT.
The Spy of Atlanta" by a Local
Company.
A Drama of the War well Acted for
a Good Cause.-The Piece and Those
who Performed It,

A Drama Of the war wen hcieu toT
GOOD Cause.-The Piece and Those
who Performed IL.
Last evening large audience assem-
bled at Harper's theatre TO witness the
war drama, The Spy of Atlanta, for
the benefit of Buford Post, 243 G. A r.,
by local talent. The purpose tor which
the entertainment was given no doubt
encouraged such liberal patronage, but
those who were present were agreeably
disappointed at SO clever performance
by amateur talent II was military
alegory 10 six acts, given under the
direction of M. A. D. Elliot, who took
the leading comedy role, the other char
acters being assigned to Rock Island
people. The drama is something after
the style of The Union Spy, The
Great Rebellion" "Our Country, ETC.,
though the plot is more thrilling, and
the thread of the drama is maintained in
a much better way.
Here Is the caste of characters:
Edsin paitoa.a Union n an afterwar3 a spy b.. Fred
Rogers.
Edward St Clair, a Southerner. + Back
Park 81 Clair, Edwar 6 father ---....E Ed Wilcox
Charley Dalton, on OF Farmer Dalton. T Stafford
Farmer Dalton Northern and Union man G Nj
Stoddard.
Jake sehneiCeI, = fat Dntchman. true blue. A d
Elliott.
Capt Mason-U SA.....................D Sears
Pete, a colored gemmen. ....... Harry Cleayeiand
Gen McPherson-U SA.........-..--,N Norris
Gen Sherman-U SA......-...-....-.Dr j Mckee
Major Wibur-U S A......-...- I'D Ii Reeves
Col Hairison--U S A..............-..M I Stafford
Corp, ogden-C S A. ..-.-.----.. VIM Evans
Shaffe Beardsley
Maud De on, wife of Edwin Miss Nellie BlaisdeiI
Mrs Dalton, wife ar Farmer Dalton Mrs haw
Carrie Dalton, sister of Edwin. Miss Ella Wilcox
Little Willie Dalton. drummer boy David Clela
Little Mamie daughter OF Edwin and Maud. Grace
Custer
aides, troops citizens, union and rebel soldiers
ladies for tableaux, etc.
The play presents a living panorama
of the great rebellion. the first act Civ
ing the news of the firing on Fl Sumter.
the proclamation of President Lincoln
for troops. and the effect the civil strife
had upon domestic life. severing the
bonds of friendship and plighted love.
The second act reveals union camp.
where Edward Dalton" is detailed to
act as spy, his capture and rescue.
Songs of merriment are introduced the
regiment is inspected-death of Gen
Mcpherson. In the third act a realistic
battle scene is shown, participated IN by
war veterans themselves. The fourth
act shows the battle field at night, and
the beautiful tableaux, the decorating
of the soldiers graves. Andersonville
and its horrors are viviGly pictured in
the fifth act, while in the sixth
the news of Lees surrender is
received. the rebel army throw
down their arms, Johnston de-
| livers his sword to Sherman South
Carolina hands the dagger 10 the God
dess, the whole closing with the stirring
song Marching through Georgia"
The colored fire did not give entire sat
isfaction, owing to the failure of pipe
to do its duty, and considerable unpleas
antness was caused among the audience
in consequence This difficulty has been
obviated, however, by remedying the
pipe, and the tableaux will be produced
with better effect tonight and tomorrow
night
Mrs. J. F. Robinson acted as pianolst.
and rendered the old war songs such as
Marching Through Georgia, Just Be
fore the Battle, Mother, and others in an
admirable manner. Mrs. Robinson vol
unteered her services, and those in charge
of the entertainment owe the lady great
deal for the part she took in the highly
successful affair.
The drama will be repeated tonight and
tomorrow night and should be seen by
all.
THE CARRIER SERVICE.